John McDonald

• M.S., National Resource Strategy, National Defense University
• M.S., Logistics Management, Florida Institute of Technology
• B.S., Criminal Justice, East Carolina University

Col. (Retired) John W. McDonald joins the University of Dayton Army ROTC program as a contracted Military Science Instructor. He brings with him more than 30 years of experience, having entered the Army in 1992 and retiring from the Joint Staff (Pentagon) in July 2022, attaining the rank of Colonel.

McDonald has held multiple leadership positions from squad leader to brigade commander and also has six combat deployments to his credit. He has served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 7th Special Forces Group, 528th Special Operations, Iraqi Assistance Group (MiTT Team), 10th Mountain Division, Army Staff (Pentagon) and Commanded the Army Field SPT Battalion (Drum) and Tobyhanna Army Depot (PA).

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal; Bronze Star Medal (3OLC); Joint Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC); Army Commendation Medal (2OLC); Army Achievement Medal (2OLC); Joint Meritorious Unit Citation (OLC); Meritorious Unit Citation; National Defense Service Medal (2 Bronze Stars); Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars); Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars); Global War on Terror (Expeditionary); Global War on Terror (Service); Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (NUM3); NATO Medal (MNSTC-I) and NATO Medal (ISAF); the Joint Staff Badge; the Army Staff Badge; the Combat Action Badge; Master-Rated Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge; and Parachute Rigger Badge. He also received German, Australian and Italian Foreign Jump Wings.